Lufthansa Group has placed an order for 80 single-aisle aircraft with options for 120 more, from Airbus and Boeing.
The order breakdown will see the Group order slightly more Boeing aircraft than Airbus, with the purchase of 100 aircraft from Boeing: split between 40 Boeing 737-MAX 8s and 60 options. A purchase order for 40 A220-300s, earmarked for regional subsidiary Lufthansa City Airlines, with 20 options and an additional 40 options for the A320 family, was placed with Airbus.
The order, worth around US$9 billion list price, is not expected to significantly impact Lufthansa Group’s capital expenditure in 2024.
Dr Detlef Kayser, Lufthansa Group Member of the Executive Board, Fleet and Technology, said: “We are pleased that both Airbus and Boeing were able to convince us on all commercial and technological aspects. In addition to this, the decision for the Boeing 737-8 MAX will also give us more flexibility for the procurement of short- and medium-haul aircraft in the future.”
737 MAX: A 30-year return
This Boeing order is a significant milestone for the Group, as it is the first time in almost 30 years that Lufthansa has placed an order with Boeing for its 737 aircraft. The last delivery of a 737-300 was in 1995.
It also serves as another nod of confidence for the MAX programme and its efficient design as Lufthansa makes strides to modernise its fleet. The 737 MAX reduces CO2 emissions by 20% and has a 50% smaller noise footprint compared to older-generation airplanes.
Lufthansa Group retired its last 737 from its fleet in 2016, as it started its fleet modernisation programme. Since then, it has favoured widebodies to accelerate the replacement of its older aircraft. It currently has a firm order backlog for thirty-four 787 Dreamliners, alongside seven 777-8 Freighters and twenty 777-9s.
The first Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft delivery is expected in the third quarter of 2027.
A220 and A320 family aircraft
The A220s are intended for use by Lufthansa City Airlines and will be used on short-haul routes from Frankfurt to Munich. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2026.
Around 450 A320 family aircraft are with Lufthansa Group, and this order for 40 options further solidifies its position in the short- and medium-haul segment. 71 A320neo and A321neo aircraft that have already been ordered will be delivered in the next few years.
Image credit: Lufthansa Group
